Variant of Salome, from Hebrew 'shalom' meaning peace.
Saloma is a variant of Salome, one of the most ancient and resonant names in the Semitic naming tradition. It derives from the Hebrew root "shalom" (שָׁלוֹם), meaning "peace," sharing its etymology with Solomon and the greeting itself. Salome appears in the New Testament as both the mother of apostles James and John and — in a more infamous role — as the daughter of Herodias who danced before Herod and requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
This dual figure, serene and dangerous, gave the name its complex cultural legacy. Despite its biblical notoriety, Salome and its variants were used steadily in Jewish, Christian, and later Muslim communities throughout the medieval period. The softer spelling Saloma strips away some of the dramatic weight of Salome, giving the name a quieter, more pastoral feel.
Among Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities in North America, Saloma has been a beloved traditional name for generations, preserved in communities that prize biblical names with plain, dignified sounds. The Amish author Saloma Miller Furlong brought the name into wider contemporary awareness through her memoirs. Saloma occupies a beautiful space between the ancient and the intimate.
Its meaning — peace — is one of humanity's oldest aspirations, and the name delivers it in a form that feels both historically grounded and gently distinctive. The variant spelling softens the name's theatrical associations while preserving all of its depth.